Lucas Brehaut anticipated significant attention for his research efforts, but it seems that the wildlife in Newfoundland is taking a keen interest in his work, often causing damage to his equipment. As a wildfire research scientist with the Canadian Forest Service, Brehaut is investigating the regrowth of forests in Atlantic Canada following wildfires, a region experiencing an uptick in forest fires despite its cooler and wetter climate compared to the rest of the country.
Following a forest fire near Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L., in 2022, Brehaut embarked on a study to examine forest regrowth in a warming planet due to climate change. To conduct this study in its third year of a five-year duration, Brehaut and his team had to transport and install 19 open-top chambers (OTCs) in the forest around planted seedlings. These OTCs function as miniature greenhouses, raising temperatures by one to three degrees to simulate the effects of global warming.
Encountering challenges such as traversing difficult terrain and enduring harsh Newfoundland weather conditions during their research, Brehaut and his team faced an unexpected setback in September 2023. Wildlife, including caribou, moose, black bears, wolves, rabbits, and owls, began visiting the research sites, causing damage to the equipment. Surveillance cameras originally set up to monitor snow depth revealed the culprits behind the equipment disturbances.
Out of the 19 sites, 11 have suffered damage from the curious animals, with some even absconding with temperature sensors. Brehaut humorously noted that one particular site, labeled ‘The Problem Child,’ consistently faced challenges and required extra attention due to frequent damages. Despite the disruptions, Brehaut remains understanding, acknowledging that the wildlife is merely exploring their habitat.
Wildlife biologist Kaitlyn Gaynor from the University of British Columbia explained that animals are naturally drawn to novel objects in their environment, driven by curiosity and the potential for new resources or threats. Bears, in particular, exhibit curiosity toward new items, investigating whether they are edible due to their omnivorous nature.
Moreover, Gaynor emphasized the role of human scent on research equipment in attracting animals and suggested minimizing human presence and scent to reduce wildlife interference. She shared experiences from her research in Mozambique, where animals like baboons, hyenas, and elephants often interact with and sometimes damage research equipment.
While animals pose a significant challenge to research endeavors, Brehaut also faced setbacks from human interference, with snowmobiles inadvertently damaging his study plots during snowy winters in Newfoundland. Despite these obstacles, Brehaut and his team continue their research efforts, adapting to the unpredictable interactions with the local wildlife.
